Personally I also reckon the twin spark (till 2007) Dakar was the best with a decent tank size, spoked wheels and most powerfull GS Rotax engine.

Don't think it matter where the engine is assembled, so long as it's done in a decent factory, although I'm not convinced that it's actually assembled in China at all. Seems to me it was only done for a small period. Now in Spandau according to this.

http://bmwmcmag.com/wp-content/uploa..._650_GS_EN.pdf

In the end the rotax designed motor, design license now sold to BMW, is as good as it always was. Haven't heard of massive problems, other than the waterpump, on any rotax engine made anywhere. Suspension failure across all 650GS models though, but any decent rider should change them to YZ anyway.

__________________
Tacos Tyring Travels.com

or WPs.

__________________

I was not so keen on the older F650GS single. I really liked the G650GS when I took one on a test ride last year, it seemed leaner, though an exhaust that didn't sound like a lawnmower would be my first improvement. My friend and I are renting G650GS bikes in Morocco at the end of the month so will probably report back.

BMW Bahnstormer director Paul Davis says he expects the Sertão to outsell the standard G650GS when it launches in March. Pricing (post #33) seems OK.

__________________
"For sheer delight there is nothing like altitude; it gives one the thrill of adventure
and enlarges the world in which you live," Irving Mather (1892-1966)

Agreed with colebatch!
I replaced the stock one by WP in my previous F650GS and had no problen at all during my trip.
I would certainly replace the stock shock again if I ever get the new G650GS as I cannot imagine the suspension would be better!
Now it will be interesting to smuggle a WP in my luggage when going back to Rio

Bruno, yes the XTZ 250 is a great bike. And I had a Versys in the UK, it is a tall bike for me. In the UK I got the seat scooped out and a gel seat inserted, and I also fitted a lowering link that I sourced from the US. It would be too difficult for me to get this sorted here. Also not great for dirt as the exhaust is under the belly. I absolutely loved that bike though!

The XT660 is great but like the XTZ is way too high for me. Above 80cm I would struggle, and I know" if you can get one toe down it is ok"! Well sort of, maybe on tarmac, but not with a fully loaded bike on a hard dirt road it is not! I learnt my lesson the very hard way and I like to reach the ground with my 2 feet!
Bruno do you know if it is possible in Brazil to find a lowering link for the XT660?
I intend to keep my next bike and tarvel with it so must be dual.

The V-strom is way too ugly! sorry, I can;t!

I would prefer at least a 400cc, mainly because the husband wants to get the F800, I can't just trail behing on a 250! There would be trouble in our couple at some point, so I want to be able to keep up.
I like the Falcon, shame they don't do it anymore. Maybe second hand. Again a bit tall but must be possible to lower it a bit!
If seat height was no issue, I would get the XT660! I hate being little!

Keep coming guys, especially if you know the Brazil models and you know how and where to lower a bike! Most useful info!

Thanks!

I am off to a churrasco now!

__________________
Maria

www.franglais-riders.com

Hi Maria 41, I did a write up on the 2011 G650-GS with photos here:

Which Bike :
From F800GS to DR 650 SE? Thread

Elisa and I bought two 2011 G650-GS in Spain and rode them from Spain to Turkey and back last year. Handling is great on or off road!

The 2011 BMW G650-GS engines were built in Berlin, Germany not China. The new 2012 Sertao has a 21 inch front wheel and a narrower back wheel then the 2011 G650-GS and a beefed up suspension which makes it more off roady.

Otherwise very little difference.

xfiltrate

__________________
Motorcycle Parking Buenos Aires, Argentina
www.xfiltrate.com
Discover how to legally Buy, Tour and Sell a motorcycle in Argentina

Maria I was talking with some friends and they told me that is possible to fabricate a special Linkage to lower the rear suspension height on the bike just like this one.
OFF-THE-ROAD | Linkage bones, XT660Z | buy online
Using a special seat like the ones made by ERE Bancos also helps in lowering the seat position.

According to a friend he was able to lower the seat height on a XT660 to about 780mm (from the 865mm from the original XT660) using specially made linkages and a special seat, the same height as the original G650GS, 780 mm. To compare the XRE seat height is 860mm.

I have the G650 country. Similar thing, almost identical engine but interestingly in 09 they switched to building it in China and made a few model changes, some good, some bad. I did a lot of homework on the bike and a lot of reseaerch into known faults and weaknesses and interestingly enough there was no less reliability with the newer version built in China. I've been out of touch a while so things might have changed now but it does tend to imply that the new one need not be any less reliable than the old one, no matter where it was built.
I've met a lot of people on the road who swear by these machines and not a single person who has used one hard has anything negative to say about them. I reckon the new one could be just as good. Fingers crossed.
As for shocks, I used a Wilburs, as recommended as an upgrade for my bike and it's been brilliant, best money I spent and it wasn't particularly expensive either. Worth a look.